Jump to content

Tobey (song)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by PHShanghai (talk | contribs) at 18:20, 9 July 2024 (not a reliable published music critic). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

"Tobey"
Single by Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron
from the album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)
ReleasedJuly 2, 2024
Genre
Length4:44
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Marvy Ayy
  • John Nocito
  • Daniyel
  • Carlton McDowell
  • Cole Bennett
  • Eminem (add.)
Eminem singles chronology
"Houdini"
(2024) 		"Tobey"
(2024)
Big Sean singles chronology
"Shut Up"
(2024) 		"Tobey"
(2024)
BabyTron singles chronology
"Drank Wars"
(2024) 		"Tobey"
(2024)
Music video
"Tobey" on YouTube

"Tobey" is a song recorded by American rappers Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron. It was released on July 2, 2024, through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. It is the second single from Eminem's twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) after "Houdini", and makes many references to Spider-Man.

Background and release

"Tobey" is a collaborative effort from Michigan natives Eminem, Big Sean and BabyTron.[1] Released on July 2, 2024 through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records, it was produced by Eminem, Cole Bennett, Car!ton, Daniyel, Marvy Ayy, and John Nocito.[2] "Tobey" is the fourth collaboration between Eminem and Big Sean, following "Detroit vs. Everybody", "No Favors" and "Friday Night Cypher",[2] and the second single taken from Eminem's twelfth studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce) following "Houdini".[3]

On June 28, Eminem posted a horror-themed trailer for "Tobey" on his social media accounts, containing himself, Big Sean and BabyTron, announcing that it would be released on July 2, 2024, and its music video, directed by Bennett, set to premiere three days later on July 5.[4] The trailer featured Eminem in a Jason Voorhees mask carving into a bleeding invisible figure with a chainsaw,[1] which Rolling Stone interpreted as "likely" representing Eminem's alter ego Slim Shady,[5] followed by BabyTron rapping "Tobey Maguire got bit by a spider, but see, me, it was a goat".[6] The video was delayed by three days after it became apparent that it was not ready, with Eminem instead releasing a short snippet in which he rapped outside his house.[7]

Cover art and composition

The single cover is a reference to a meme in which three Spider-Men point at each other,[8] derived from episode nineteen of the 1967 Spider-Man television series,[9] and the song was titled in reference to the Spider-Man actor, Tobey Maguire;[10] Eminem had previously referenced Spider-Man characters in his songs "Rap God" and "These Demons", while BabyTron had referenced the title character in his earlier single "Spidey Senses".[6]

Over a beat including bells and a hard rock guitar riff,[11] BabyTron uses his hook to reference Princess Leia telling Obi-Wan Kenobi that he was her only hope in the 1977 film Star Wars and The Iron Giant's consumption of scrap metal,[6] and Big Sean references Yoda[11] and Wes Craven.[12] Eminem uses his verse to criticise his fifth-place ranking on Billboard and Vibe's "50 Greatest Rappers of All Time" list[13] and criticise Melle Mel for questioning his high ranking;[13] upon release, many fans interpreted some of his verse as taking shots at Jay-Z, prompting Royce da 5′9″ to opine otherwise.[7]

Music video

The music video for "Tobey", directed by Cole Bennett, who previously directed Eminem's videos for "Godzilla", "Gnat" and "Doomsday Pt. 2", was released on July 8, 2024, following a 3-day delay due to unfinished production.[14]

Critical reception

Tom Breihan of Stereogum, who had previously savaged "Houdini", expressed that "Tobey" was "more like it," describing the latter as "rap for rap’s sake, without headline-chasing edgy jokes or forced, rushed cadences." He also opined that the song's central concept was "a little goofy," but felt that it worked.[15]

Personnel

Musicians
  • Eminem – primary artist, vocals, songwriter, additional producer
  • Big Sean – primary artist, vocals, songwriter
  • BabyTron – primary artist, vocals, songwriter
  • Luis Resto – keyboards, songwriter
  • Cole Bennett – producer, songwriter
  • Carlton McDowell – producer, songwriter
  • Daniyel – producer, songwriter
  • John Nocito – producer, songwriter
  • marvy ayy – producer, songwriter
Technical

Charts

Chart performance for "Tobey"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[16] 64
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[17] 5
UK Singles (OCC)[18] 78
US Billboard Hot 100[19] 95
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[20] 26

References

  1. ^ a b England, Adam (June 30, 2024). "Eminem drops trailer teasing new single 'Tobey' featuring Big Sean and BabyTron". NME. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Strauss, Matthew (July 2, 2024). "Eminem, Big Sean, and BabyTron Share New Song "Tobey"". Pitchfork. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  3. ^ Horowitz, Steven J. (June 28, 2024). "Eminem Taps Big Sean and Babytron for New Single 'Tobey,' Releasing July 2". Variety. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  4. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 28, 2024). "Eminem Recruits Fellow Detroit Natives Big Sean & Babytron for Ominous 'Tobey' Single: Watch the Trailer". Billboard. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  5. ^ Paul, Larisha (July 2, 2024). "Eminem Lives Out His Own 'Spider-Man' Origin Story with Big Sean and BabyTron on 'Tobey'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c "Eminem name-checks Tobey Maguire and recreates Spider-Man meme on new single". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Nevares, Gabriel Bras (July 5, 2024). "Eminem Returns To "The Marshall Mathers LP" House In "Tobey" Music Video Teaser". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  8. ^ Duran, Anagricel (July 2, 2024). "Eminem teams up with Babytron and Big Sean on new 'Spider-Man' inspired single 'Tobey'". NME. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  9. ^ Child, Ben (February 24, 2022). "The Spider-Man pointing meme perfectly encapsulates why fans adored No Way Home". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  10. ^ McCollum, Brian (July 2, 2024). "Eminem joined by Big Sean, BabyTron on new song 'Tobey' as 'Slim Shady' release set". AOL. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Eminem Links with BabyTron & Big Sean on New Single "Tobey"". Consequence. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  12. ^ Cowen, Trace William. "Eminem Recruits Big Sean and BabyTron for Latest 'Death of Slim Shady' Track "Tobey"". Complex. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Sadler, Armon (July 3, 2024). "Eminem Addresses 'Billboard' Ranking Him No. 5 On Greatest Rappers List In New Single "Tobey"". Vibe. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  14. ^ Saponara, Michael (June 28, 2024). "Eminem Recruits Fellow Detroit Natives Big Sean & Babytron for Ominus 'Tobey' Single". Billboard. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "Eminem Teams With Big Sean & Babytron On New Single "Tobey": Listen". Stereogum. July 2, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  16. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  17. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 5, 2024.
  18. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
  19. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  20. ^ "Eminem Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tobey_(song)&oldid=1233556963"